Stephen Rakes an alleged extortion victim of mob boss James “Whitey” Bulgar was found dead Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

He was due to testify against the former mob boss, as he is being charged in relation to 19 murders, either by way of committing or ordering these crimes between 1970-1980.

Rakes is among a long list of Bulgar’s alleged victims; he had owned a liquor store which Bulgar’s gang allegedly took over in 1984 by way of a shakedown. They used his store as a place for money-laundering according to prosecutors.

Rakes, 59 will now be examined by way of an autopsy to discover the exact cause of death: The question of foul play is unclear, but there were no obvious signs of trauma according to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office.

Bulgar, now 83 faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.